R2r102894 - Business Support Officer - Virtual

Your New Organisation: Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend. Southend itself is a vibrant place to live and work, offering coastal living alongside excellent and fast transport links into London. Working for Southend-on-Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovative environment. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from regulatory services, transport, public health, and parks through to planning, social services, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference. Your new role: Southend on sea city council has a great opportunity for a business support officer to join the virtual school team on a full time and fixed term contract (**12 months**). This role is offered on a hybrid working pattern; a blend** **of working from home and office. As a Business Support Officer, you will manage daily operations and the development and planning of administrative processes, procedures and information systems which support the operation of the Virtual School for looked after children and children with a social worker. You will provide administrative support and undertake general administrative duties, including accurate and timely data input and tracking, record keeping, maintenance or data collation using various IT systems and software. You will oversee Personal Education Plans (PEPs) compliance and quality processes** **by tracking and monitoring the various stages of ‘sign off’; ensuring all PEPs are** **implemented within required timeframes. You will provide support and appropriate challenge to schools and social workers both on compliance and quality where necessary of Personal Education Plans including the use of Pupil Premium. As a Business Support Officer, you will liaise with the financial service team to oversee the virtual school budget. You will have a role in the wider team duties, for example around invoicing, financial monitoring, recording, and reporting, as well as taking the minutes of meetings. What you'll need to succeed: To be successful in this role, previous experience of working within a finance team is desirable for this role. It essential that you are well organised, able to work with high attention to detail and demonstrate good organisational and interpersonal skills. It is also essential that you can communicate effectively, meet deadlines and establish good relationships range of other professionals in the field. You will have the ability to handle a multitude of varied tasks, using your own initiative but seeking support or advice from your line manager when required. You will be happy working in a varied and busy environment, demonstrating a positive and flexible ‘can-do’ approach to your duties. You must be proficient in use of various MS packages, for example Word, Excel and Outlook. It is essential that you have basic understanding of English education systems; Qualifications, Key Stages, EYFS and National Curriculum levels and types of SEND. **You will need to be educated to ‘A’ Level standard or equivalent.** Level 3 qualification in Business Admin or other quantitative discipline would be desirable. What you'll get in return: If you join the Council, you will enjoy a range of benefits including flexible working, salary sacrifice schemes, **25 days** holiday in a full-time contract (**excluding bank holidays**) and excellent training and development opportunities. A full list of benefits provided by Southend-on-Sea City Council can be found on the Jobs at the council web page under the "**Why Work for us Tab**". What you need to do now: If you would like a copy of either the Job Description and Person Specification please click here Southend-on-Sea City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check.